Gimme Shelter

by Jake Lessels

The sidewalk in front of the state house in Concord last Friday, November 6 was filled with more than one hundred people. These people came from all over New Hampshire, from various peace groups and church organizations. This being its 12th annual gathering, Gimme Shelter has been constantly growing in popularity. The event is to gain awareness of homelessness in the Concord and Manchester area. The hundred-something group started by making their shelters fro the night, they would be sleeping in cardboard structures to simulate the real experiences that actual homeless people go through every night.
Throughout the night, several people spoke to the semi-circle formed on the cold cement. These people ranged from the heads of the event to New England College Peace Club students and also a few of the homeless that were in attendance. The masterminds, Marta Yager and Molly Messenger behind the operation told the crowd what their group, the American Friends Service Committee, does for the homeless population in New Hampshire. The AFSC helps families get into homes, helping homeless on the streets with food and many more great tasks. Some students from NEC read poems about the struggles that homeless people face everyday. There were several homeless and recovering homeless people that told their stories and stories of fellow homeless friends that had lost their life to the streets
At around six in the morning, the boxes started to stir, people emerged, chilled to the bone. Many of the event goers will likely never forget this experience and every time they go by the state house they can lean over to say to their friend, I’ve slept there before. Your friend will probably say “What? Are you nuts?” And you will tell them it was for a good cause and it was a lot of fun.

Making Noise For Climate Change

by Will Hastings

Should you find yourself outside this October raking leaves, or playing in them, you may here the sound of church bells ringing across the town. It may just be church getting out, but on October 25 the bells are ringing for a more important reason. The community has come together to battle climate change. On October 24 worldwide groups will be ringing bells and making noise about the number 350, potentially the most crucial number we will ever know. One of the most important steps to halting climate change is reducing carbon levels in our atmosphere from its current 390 parts per million ranges down or below 350 parts per million. In December world leaders will be meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark to create a new global treaty on cutting emissions. To help spread the word the First Congregational Church, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, St. Theresa Parish, and the Contoocook United Methodist Church will all be ringing their bells 350 times. To see what you can do to help, go to 350.org

Unemployment Rates in New Hampshire vs. United States

by Dan Lux

One year ago citizens of New Hampshire were worry free of being unemployed, with the unemployment rate at only 3.7%. But as the earth spins, unfortunately so does the unemployment rate. In October of 2008 the unemployment rate rose from 3.7% to a whopping 6.6% in March of 2009. Since the unemployment rate stopped at 6.6%, it has kept changing a steady pace. Since March the Unemployment Rate has gone as low as 6.4% and as high as 6.8%.
As for the United States as a whole, the Unemployment Rate is at an all time high of 9.7%. Other than this year the highest Unemployment Rate was in 1992 at an 8.2%. It is believed that the Unemployment Rate rose to where it is now because more people are actively seeking work, but unable to find what they are looking for. The United States has lost more the 216,000 jobs in this economy since August of 2009. As it seems of right now, the effectiveness of Obama’s economic recovery does not seem to be working, or it is taking longer than projected.

Trading Kicks for Sticks

by Mimi Ramsdell

Every Wednesday, for the last six years, about sixty girls congregate on Hopkinton’s field hockey field. Their skills range from barely being able to hold a field hockey stick, to being a starter on the Varsity Field Hockey Team. This production, known as Buddy Field Hockey, is headed by Varsity Coach Connolly.

On the first day, every younger girl, from second to sixth grade, is assigned a big buddy on either the JV or Varsity Field Hockey Team. For the next five weeks the little buddy will learn the basic skills and rules of field hockey from her big buddy. The season is ended by a large, multiple town, Buddy Field Hockey Jamboree.

But why would Coach Connolly rather have her players playing and joking around with young girls instead of practicing? There are multiple reasons. Buddy Field Hockey keeps Hopkinton’s field hockey program strong. Girls can play soccer as soon as they can run, but there are fewer opportunities to learn field hockey. This program attracts girls who would usually be playing soccer, but learn they love field hockey.

Additionally, as Coach Connolly points out, this is one opportunity for the older girls to give back to the community. The older girls become role models for the younger girls. The older girls take pride in teaching and setting examples for the aspiring field hockey players. Some of the older girls were younger buddies when the program first started and are aware of how enjoyable the experience is.

Overall, for twenty dollars, not only does a young girl learn the basics of field hockey; she is able to meet new people, gain a role model, and have fun.

Sie sprechen Deutsch?

By Dorothy England

This past month, Hopkinton High School was very privileged to welcome 15 German exchange students. Not only did they visit our school, they also went to Boston, where they saw a buffalo farm, and Maine where they experienced the White Mountains. Their favorite place though was Manhattan, New York City because it was exciting.
They said they really appreciated Hopkinton for people's genuinely kind and open-minded attitude they received and all but one wished to stay longer. They thought Hopkinton was awesome, even though they thought Hopkinton was too small (probably after seeing NYC) and the school hours were too long.
They were especially surprised at the freedom of selection students had in their choice of classes. Back home in Germany, they are only allowed to choose a language but the rest of their classes are required. As for languages, most of them, if not all know at least three languages; some even know four. These languages include German, English, French and Latin. An additional language they admitted to is a non-spoken, verbal language consisting of hand motions that they use in class when they don’t want their teacher to notice.
Another difference between our schools is while our school offers a vast amount of sports to participate in, German sports are separate from their schools. They were intrigued by our school spirit, which includes consisting of purple headbands and/or flannel shirts.
Lastly, you may be wondering what America's greatest influence is on Germany; it is not in fact the food (which they consider unhealthy), but instead, our music including rap and hip-hop.
It was awesome having them here and we were as they were sad to see them go. But as the Germans say, ‘auf wiedersehen!’

Getting to Know Mr. Sousa

by Will Hastings

Welcome back students of Hopkinton High School. The new school year in Hopkinton begins with an assortment of new staff, among them a new Principal. Mr. Chris Sousa was chosen from three other finalists for the position.

Originally a business major interested in advertising, Mr. Sousa started substitute teaching on the side to earn money. It was then when he discovered that he liked working with children, so with the encouragement of an aunt in the education field, he attended Plymouth State University and received his teacher’s certificate.

Mr. Sousa’s teaching experiences are rather extensive and well rounded. He began teaching business in Rhode Island. After that he moved to Procter High School in Vermont to be principal, from there he went to be principal at Hampton Middle School. For Mr. Sousa the idea that he could "affect students in a positive way felt really great.” Aside from school work, Mr. Sousa enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and camping. He also enjoys trying his hand at guitar as well as cooking. Family is a huge part of his daily life; his children are truly his pride and joy.

Sousa’s passion for teaching seems to have no bounds. “If I had one million dollars and could do any job I wanted, I would have chosen to be a teacher.” he says. Hopkinton welcomes you Mr. Sousa, and wishes you the best of luck.

Still No Rapids for Ducks

by Jake Lessels

Once again, two-thousand rubber ducks will be swimming in kiddie pools during homecoming. For the second year in a row, the Con-Ducky Derby will not be held in the Contoocook River. The ducks will be floating in plastic kiddie pools at the high school on October 3.

“The water conditions weren’t safe,” said the Booster club’s co-president Margaret Cook. When the ducks would float down the river, over the dam and under the covered bridge, somebody had to catch them, and for the past couple years that job has gone to the varsity soccer players.
The derby is the major funding source the Booster Club has that benefits all the athletic teams according to Cook. Those goodie bags of candy given to teams at the end of every sports season are from the Booster Club. Money from the Booster club provides championship winning teams with their commemorative clothing and celebration cake and balloons. The spaghetti dinner is also put on by the Booster club.

Ducks may be purchased from all members of the fall sports teams. The prices are three dollars for one duck and ten dollars for five ducks. The ducks will be drawn at every half-time of all the games and during the cross-country meet. The prizes consist of $700 worth of fun prizes, including Margarita’s gift cards and Dick’s Sporting Goods gift cards. Prizes can reach up to $50 in value. Come out to see all your favorite Hawks teams beat Hillsboro-Deering and buy some ducks!